Town Square® FAQs

What is Reminiscence Therapy?

Reminiscence Therapy is a type of therapy that utilizes tangible prompts from a person’s past to elicit memories. Reminiscence Therapy (RT) has also been defined as “involves the discussion of past activities, events and experiences with another person or group of people, usually with the aid of tangible prompts such as photographs, household and other familiar items from the past, music and archive sound recordings”.

Reminiscence therapy is one of the most popular psychosocial interventions in dementia care, and is highly rated by staff and participants. There is some evidence to suggest it is effective in improving mood in older people without dementia.

What are the benefits of Reminiscence Therapy?

Is Town Square® just for an individual who has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia?

No – Town Square® was designed to benefit the Family Caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia do not just impact the individual who is diagnosed. The reality is the disease impacts the Family Caregiver in other significant ways. The need for 24-hour care becomes an almost certainty. The life the Family Caregiver was leading is immediately impacted. Dreams of leisure time, travel and companionship are devastated. Town Square® is designed to give Family Caregivers the opportunity to engage with their loved one in a meaningful way. Memories that may not be triggered in present environments, have the opportunity to be unlocked in Town Square®.

Why is Town Square® designed from the era 1953-1961?

Studies have shown that our strongest memories are constructed from the ages of 10-30. The reason being is that this is when the most significant life events occur – graduation from high school, college, first job, weddings, birth of children. That said, a majority of our participants are now in their early eighties. Our participants, who are currently 82 (in 2017), were born in in 1935 and would have been 18 in 1953.

Could Town Square® be considered confusing for an individual who has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia?

In caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, we know that successful outcomes are based on moment to moment interactions. That said, the benefits of Town Square® and utilizing Reminiscence Therapy far outweighs any potential concern for confusion based on comparison to present day.